Arrivals

[DaRev]

Boardies,
Arrival at MoBay was a bit different! They have these machines - You go over, they take your picture and you present the slip of paper to an attendant as you go in.. Not sure what the purpose of it all was!! Then on the way back - no custom forms needed! When you arrive state side, again you go to a machine - put your passport in, answer some questions - the machine takes your picture and gives you a slip that you present to an Immigration officer as you leave.. A bit different than a year ago!

[Craig123]

Just a guess, but they're likely using face recognition software (biometrics) to validate you are who you claim you are. Expect your face to be entered into some government database. Big brother is watching.

[Kold Ass Mofo]

Just a guess, but they're likely using face recognition software (biometrics) to validate you are who you claim you are. Expect your face to be entered into some government database. Big brother is watching.

you are 100% correct. the govt database is created using passport pictures.

atlanta and houston have been using camera kiosks for more than a year to verify your identity against your passport pic. if you make funny faces it gives up and calls for help. i thought it slowed down the overall process because you still have to do the counter thing with the agent so he can speak with you to determine if your are a suspicious 'terrist.

[M&G Montreal]

I have used these on the past several trips, and gone straight through - I haven't been sent to a counter. There was an officer at a desk who checked it, checked my passport and sent me through. They did ask one time if there was anyone under 18 in our travel party and when we said no, they sent us through to the photo kiosk. I got the impression that if you are travelling with minors, you cannot use the kiosk. That may have changed - or I could have totally misinterpreted what they were doing. It seemed faster to me.

On departure last summer, when the Immigration Officer stuck the photo paper back into my passport, I asked her what we were supposed to do with them. She asked me what I had been doing, and I told her I leave in my passport and lock it away in the room safe. Take it out only when leaving. She told me that we're supposed to carry it on us at all times while in Jamaica, as proof that we have been legally and legitimately admitted to the country. I have just sent a message to Jamaica Immigration to clarify this, but it does make sense. I never knew that! I'll let you know what they tell me, but something to keep in mind if you're out and about touring and such, particularly with the current security measures in Mobay. I'm sure I'll hear back soon!

[JohnNYC]

M&G
If that's true, I'm going to be handing back a very soggy, sandy and crumpled piece of paper at the end of my stay

[LivinInThe603]

I think technically, you can be asked to present your papers at any time during your time in a foreign country. Even thought I worried a little about my purse being stolen, while I was in Belarus this summer I kept my passport with me at all times- the fear of being stopped and not having it was stronger than the fear of losing it! I never feel that way in Jamaica though, and the docs go right in the safe!